Competency
Professionalising E&P Data Management
There is no recognised structure for eiither accrediting or assessing the competency of the estimated 250 to 1,000 E&P data management specialists working in the UK. Career development, recruitment and performance evaluation are consequently compromised, perhaps seriously. CDA is taking a global lead in this area and is actively working with Norwegian and North American organisations towards professionalisation of this important discipline.
Working with selected oil companies, service companies and organisations in Norway and Canada, CDA is leading an initiative to draw up a universal ‘competency map’ for E&P Data Managers. The map will describe the core skills required of E&P Data Managers and will define the minimum competencies expected against a matrix of increasing degrees of ability and experience. Once completed, the map will be an indispensible reference tool for measuring, in a uniform and standardised way, the competency of E&P Data Managers. It will also be used to plan career development and education and to recruit new entrants and mid-career data managers into the profession. Crucially, the competency map will in the future also provide the foundation for independent accreditation of E&P Data Management professionals by a certifying authority.
Data Managers receive far too little recognition for the very important contribution they make to the success of exploration and production activities. It’s time that Data Managers are given the credit they deserve and this initiative into competency mapping is the beginning of this process.